Black Caviar Lightning Stakes
The Black Caviar Lightning Stakes is almost here, and the excitement is building for what is sure to be a thrilling straight-course race. This year’s event will feature some of the best sprinters in the country, including Nature Strip and Marabi, who are expected to set the pace. Coolangatta is likely to race in the first four, while Roch ‘N’ Horse will look to follow Nature Strip wherever he goes from barrier two.
While many are expecting Nature Strip to continue his reign as Australia’s best sprinter, there are a few dark horses that could potentially upset the odds. Roch ‘N’ Horse (6) is one of them, having proven her worth down the straight with a winning record of 4:2-2-0. She’s won both the G1 Newmarket and the G1 VRC Classic, defeating none other than Nature Strip himself in the latter. Roch ‘N’ Horse looked sharp in a recent 800m jumpout at Flemington, finishing just behind Nature Strip under a hold. With a straight draw to land on his back, she could be a serious contender in this race.
Nature Strip (1) has been toppled in this race twice before, despite being a six-time winner down the straight. As a result, his odds don’t present much value for punters at $1.95, although he is still the horse to beat. He will need to run a perfect race to avoid being beaten by his competitors.
Coolangatta (11) is another horse to watch out for, having performed consistently well over this distance. Her recent trial win over Giga Kick was particularly impressive, and she is carrying a light weight of only 53.5kg. Meanwhile, Buenos Noches (9) has impressed in his three runs down the straight and could swoop in late with Williams in the saddle.
The Black Caviar Lightning Stakes has a rich history of attracting top quality sprinters, and this year’s event promises to be no different. It is the first Group One sprint race of the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival and is sure to be a nail-biting affair.
If you’re planning on betting on the race, be sure to check out the Victorian Betting Association’s partners for the best odds. But even if you’re not a punter, the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes is an event not to be missed for racing fans and sports enthusiasts alike. So mark your calendars for February 18th and get ready for an action-packed day at Flemington Racecourse!